OAP Funding Expiry Rules: Carryover and Deadlines

The OAP operates on the Ontario government fiscal year: April 1 to March 31. Core clinical childhood budgets are allocated on an annual basis within this cycle. Any portion of the childhood budget not invoiced by March 31 is forfeited — unused funds do not roll into the following year.

Families and their OAP-approved providers should track service delivery and invoice submission throughout the year to avoid losing unspent budget. Providers are responsible for submitting claims; families should confirm that invoices are being submitted regularly rather than in a single year-end batch.

To maximize your OAP funding, work with your provider to plan services from the beginning of the fiscal year. Delays in starting services — such as provider transitions or assessment periods — can reduce the effective budget available for that year. Building a therapy schedule early in the fiscal year avoids end-of-year rush and lost funds.

Foundational services are delivered by regional service providers on a schedule set by MCCSS — families do not manage a Foundational budget and cannot "spend" or "lose" Foundational funding. These services continue regardless of fiscal year changes.